PART 1
1:00 in the morning, Tobe slept comfortably in his own room. He is unaware of what is happening outside for he was very tired.
He was in a good sleeping condition that he was dreaming.
In his dream, he was flying like an eagle, soaring behind the clouds.
“Yeah!!”
Tobe cried enthusiastically, He can feel the cold wind rushed past his face. Numerous birds flew past him as if they greeted him in his flight.
Tobe smiled widely; he has never felt this glad before.
Just how happy he flapped, a sudden misfortune turned him upside-down.
He lost his ability to fly and consequently came down like a strong gush of stream.
“Waaah!!”
He shouted bitterly. The nearer his fall, the louder he shouted and upon calculated milliseconds of smashing his face down the ground…
*THUD*
Tobe was awakened from his beautiful dream which in turn became a horrible nightmare. He was breathing heavily and sweats popped on his forehead and on the other parts of his body as well.
The cold floor made him stood and was surprised. He thought he fell off the bed badly but his bed couldn’t be found from this dark room.
What’s only left was his blanket lying on a metallic ground which he found queer.
He scratched his head; certainly, the dreaded impact was real for his head suffered some minor ache.
Now that he realized that he wasn’t in his room at all, he searched this strange room and found that Yuki was also right there in the same spot where he found himself lying.
Yuki was a maiden whom Tobe had her powers sealed off and currently living with Tobe under the same roof.
She was sleeping quietly; even in a dark room, he can still see her face that was so beautiful and mystical while in slumber that she could be mistaken for a doll. Tobe didn’t bothered waking her up.
He couldn’t take off his gaze on her face that he is unaware that someone opened a door.
“Tobe-kun!!”
That voice startled him and awakened Yuki. Tobe turned around and felt tensed as ever.
Ryuuka Monosume, the ‘sadistic’ commander of the ship [Squairkraw] and the notorious, secretive principal of his school.
“Ryuuka-san, what did you do to us?”
Tobe exclaimed annoyingly at her. While Yuki rubbed her half-closed eyes and yawned. Drools can still be found on her mouth.
“Time to school?”
Yuki, who was still in a hypnotic state, was still curious of why Tobe was right beside him.
“Er…no…”
Tobe cautiously said as he showed his wry smile. He approached Ryuuka this time.
“Why did you do these---Uh?”
Tobe paused right after he saw her serious expression, eyes burning like an arrogant fire. He concluded that something must have happened that caused Tobe and Yuki to be transported here in [Squairkraw].
“Tobe-kun, sorry for the unexpected event. How’s Yuki-chan?”
“She’s fine.”
Suddenly, Yuki popped up behind him like a ghost, scaring Tobe out of his spine.
“Waah!”
“S-sorry…”
Tobe felt embarrassed after Yuki apologized to him after seeing him twitched.
“Something happened, Tobe-kun. Both of you are teleported for this reason…”
She said sternly after breathing deeply.
“…Come on, I’ll show you your room.”
Tobe felt cold while walking hurriedly. His feet are awfully cold.
“Tobe-kun, did you forget your clothes…or you slept while naked?”
“Well, it is your fault for bringing us here.”
“Really?”
“Who knows?”
Tobe wrapped himself with his arms after he noticed he only wears his shorts.
“Disgusting…”
“Ryuuka-san! You’re an indeed a pervert.”
Tobe protested at her after Ryuuka commented on his shorts.
He stopped walking which made Yuki, who followed behind Tobe, bumped behind him and ended up hugging him on his back.
“Gaah--!”
Tobe froze. He can felt her voluptuous chest squeezing on his back; it was so soft like a pillow. She was still in her sleeping garments which Ryuuka bought for her.
“Yuki--!”
She was clinging behind and pressed herself more which made Tobe felt hot, red and sweaty all over, instead of cold. The tingling sensation on his back made him trembled.
Tobe realized it is futile after several attempt to break free from her.
“*nuff*--the smell of Tobe is better…”
Tobe shuddered upon hearing it. Yuki’s hot breath tickled his back made him more uneasy. Yuki erotically sniffed his nape in pleasure.
Tobe and Ryuuka immediately realized that Yuki was still in trance after she didn’t listen from him.
Her clasp was getting stronger that it leaves him breathless and blue.
“Help me…”
His last resort was Ryuuka who busily watched them with eagerness. If he can’t remove himself from her, chances are he might leave unconscious or worse death.
Gradually, Yuki raised him a several inches above the floor and ended up collapsed on the floor with sleepy Yuki.
He was rendered unconscious later on.
Tobe woke up and found himself in infirmary room. He also spotted Yuki on a separate bed, sleeping comfortably as if nothing happened at all.
Tobe rose up and found some clothes on his bed. Ryuuka sat beside him, and was waiting for him to wake up.
“Here’s your clothes…”
Ryuuka told him. After she said that, she hurriedly stood up and went for the door to left him.
“Wait…!”
Tobe exclaimed and made her stop right at the door.
“…tell me what happened!”
Ryuuka looked back and stared him inconsistently and eyes half-closed, making Tobe shrugged uneasily.
“A Maiden has appeared somewhere near in this area, particularly in your place.”
Ryuuka sighed.
“Another Maiden?”
“Yes, you are right. But this thing is proven to be more dangerous than Yuki the last time you
encountered.”
“Is that the reason why both of us were sent here?”
“Technically ‘yes’ would be the answer.”
“Then, what about the civilians---people who are left down there?”
“Stupid, we were forced to do it. I had no other choice…Seconds or less, that place will be influence
by the black field.”
“You mean reavers?”
Tobe gasped. He remembered how most of them tried to destroy Yuki. It hurt his heart a lot for whatever the reason.
“Satisifed?”
“I don’t think so…”
Tobe left his bed and faced Ryuuka.
“So what will you do to me?”
“I-I’m coming with you.”
Ryuuka was mildly shocked upon hearing it and chuckled for a while. She didn’t know that he could be courageous as he was right in front of her.
“Well, if that’s what you are thinking right now…follow me.”
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PART 2
Inside the bay, everyone was so busy in what they are doing despite the quietness and tense of the atmosphere, some are typing in something some valuable data, others are walking back and forth carrying some important statistics for these current mission and et cetera.
However, most of their attentions are on widest screen placed in front of them, particularly what was happening on what is currently flashed on the screen.
Maximus, right in front of the holographic screen, was carefully examining the situation right now. His stern, stoic old face is what everyone respected him of among his other contributions.
The metallic sliding door draws open and in came Ryuuka Monosume and Shinichi Tobe.
Upon entering, everyone inside paid attention and quiet for the commander Ryuuka.
Tobe only stood and stopped on his tracks, astonished on what he has seen as largest compartment of the airship [Squairkraw].
“Welcome to the [Squairkraw] bay, Tobe-kun, I think you had never seen it, don’t you?”
Ryuuka said rhetorically and proceeded beside Maximus, who busily watched the screen.
“Max, What’s the current status of the situation?!”
Ryuuka said hurriedly and at the same time, watched the circumstances. Her hands flexed. She has felt this uneasiness many times before.
“Uhh…The signals coming from it are still weak as before and still incapable of reaching the alert
level but obviously and gradually, I can sense that it becoming stronger at my point.”
Maximus reported enthusiastically.
Tobe watched the screen and was freaked from what he saw.
“What’s that!?”
“A Maiden…”
“But…?”
“Actually, I also couldn’t guess it but with our instruments, it is really a Maiden.”
At the screen, it showed the great ruins of the building under the shining moon. It seemed to be destroyed by a mysterious impact.
But the main attraction is the floating sphere right in the middle of impact. Giving a clear sight on it, it resembled like a glowing, melted iron. Maximus, upon his commands, focused it and magnified it and many are shocked.
Rather than a solid red ball, [Squairkraw] provided more exaggerated detailed view.
The red ball’s appearance is no more other than an imperfect, gelatinous prison.
A moonlight reflected a hole on it and revealed something that made Tobe blink.
“There’s something in it…”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Yes. Tobe saw a young girl, partially naked, and was curled inside that bloody prison. Despite its seemingly difficult position, the girl was imperviously sleeping as evident in her closed eyes.
The scene tends to be similar to an infant inside the mother’s womb. Tobe, upon seeing it, trembled, instead of a usual astonishment, His eyes enlarged as his heart kept up a steady pace.
He was greatly mixed with many emotions not because of what is currently happening but who she really is.
"C-Crista Monari…?”
He muttered instinctively in shock. Although she heard it impossibly, the girl, Monari Crista, opened her eyes gradually like a blood moon was about to be full.
Yes, instead of a usual, humanly, black eyes. Her eyes seemed to belong to a mystical, powerful deity whom she embraced.
“Crimson!”
Ryuuka blurted out. Though stern as always, she felt her blood ran cold already.
Not only she opened her curious eyes but even manage to take a glance at Tobe with a hint of unknown desire even though the they were very far away with each other and plus, Tobe was inside the airship.
Crista made a sly grin before she does something. The whole screen was flooded with the red tide of chaos later on.
“Superior, this is no good!”
“What is it, Max?”
“The signals coming from her are shot up to a danger level!”
Maximus told her after examining the indicator. If this is something to be worried about, then this would be the right time for them.
“Reavers will be here sooner…---Maximus, activate the
Tobe still watched the screen or whatever happened outside. Actually, he pondered about Crista, her only friend. He never doubt about her identity, especially he can see behind those eyes, which only Crista possessed.
He must save her no matter what happen to him, even at the cost of his life.
“Ryuuka-san, p-put me right there!”
Tobe declared tensely, his curled up fist showed up his determination. Ryuuka was a little surprise at first, but seeing his fierce resolve, she agreed confidently.
“Are you sure that’s what’s you are going to do?”
Ryuuka let him assured with her half-closed eyes.
“I don’t care… I’ll save her even if I’m weak!”
Tobe stared her right in those eyes. Ryuuka can see his intense desire to save his friend. She chuckled for a while.
His eyes are almost trickling with soulful emotions.
Cold night almost made her shivered a little, but totally she was alright. Tonight is seemed to be a little harsh for her, which almost made her sneeze.
The girl only walked smoothly, not trying to act as if in a hurry but to enjoy the pleasure moments of straddling along the pavement. Her black, youthful hair played along. To her, the blouson she was wearing is enough for her to make her warm.
The girl, Lyka Monari, also known as a cousin of Crista Monari, is now going home after a mound of works.
Her thoughts are filled with Crista, which can be basically called as a concern for her safety.
“How’s is she, I think?”
She muttered softly. She passed a dimly-lighted lamp nearby.
Except for her, the street is empty on a starry, clear sky. Lyka often paused for a moment just to take glance up to the stars.
She remembered how she was taken with the responsibility of taking care of little Crista after her parents died mysteriously… and brutally. As the only relative of that little family, she was chosen to.
She smiled but inside of her she felt sad at the same time. Lyka looked up again at the sky to watch the beautiful stars twinkling above her.
Lyka chuckled to herself. Then, went on straddling along the pavement happily.
Upon reaching at the corner of the street, something struck in her mind, which made her trembled mildly and just for a while.
Lyka stopped walking and was almost fell because it was too sudden.
She didn’t felt any pain but unknown images seemed to flashed in front of her.
“Guh…!”
It was clear to her that it was a horrible premonition and surely something worse is about to happen but disregarded it for a while and resumed walking.
“Ah, just a mild headache…”
Gradually, her walking pace became faster until she actually ran as if she was chasing something or someone.
Premonition or not, it was something related to Crista when it was so clear to her.
“Crista!”
She muttered to herself instinctively while running tirelessly although she knew that she was still far from their own house.
*huff**huff*
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PART 3
The reavers have arrived within two kilometers away from the weird floating ball. Hopefully, [Squairkraw] is very far from the prime target. Then, the reavers, about twenty-four of them, surrounded the ball in orderly manner.
Since the arrival of the reavers, [Crimson] was still inside her own bloody cage. But in a second, she emerged from her fragile shell, sensing the true hostility of the reavers.
The shells broke into pieces before it vaporized, revealing herself.
[Crimson]’s appearance can make everyone shudder and astonish at the same time: Her sleek, pale body are clothed with mysterious and tantalizing fabric unknown to the world; true crimson outlined with fiery, glowing hemstitches that flashes mysticism ………and jealousy.
Her hair, instead of the short, humane style that she had before she was turned into a Maiden, is very different right now. It appears to have grown quite fast and seemed to reach her heels. It was still spiky though dangerously sharpened.
It shined as though it was completely plunged in a purest blood.
Her face, carved with mystic, sly grin and threatening yet seductive crystalline, sanguine eyes, resembles an indefinite beauty that lasts forevermore.
Her pale hands are gloved with exquisitely, reddish-black silk as if it was worthy not to touch. It resembled delicate arachnid.
[Crimson] as though patient as she was, waited for them to act on this spotlight, before she executes her own moves.
The night obviously became darker than ever suddenly. [Crimson] realized this after scanning the whole area. She was shown to be hesitant at first but ultimately regarded it as side effect of the stasis field
Once the stasis field is on, all of the communications are blocked and therefore nothing can be seen or heard of what’s happening inside the sphere.
“Reavers…”
[Crimson] muttered shakily not from fright but from creeping excitement.
“Don’t you think you miss me?!”
“Target:[Crimson] acquired. Ready for disposal…”
One of the reavers equipped with photon-blade that looks very devastating already on its way to [Crimson] quickly.
As the blade was about to reach her face in milliseconds, [Crimson] still managed to smirk in front of it.
*klank*
The sword stopped instantly when a large spiky crystal that erupted out of her right arm blocked it. Small, shaky friction caused it to flicker with bright sparks.
She brought the lone reaver to halt and defenceless. [Crimson] managed to examine its machinery head and found it very disappointing.
“*tsk*…………not even funny …”
With her free arm, she ruthlessly pierced its chest. Her arm was left halfway inside the reaver and pulled some horrible stuff out of its place. The reaver, violently shaking due to a massive damaged done, eventually stopped moving.
Her hand is quite full of wrecked core still dripping with something black and slippery.
[Crimson] simply threw it away together with the body and it fell down to earth. Her arm is messy all over but that is something not to be worried for now.
*booooooooom*
The astounding blast and the horror of the explosion are fuelling her with crazed excitement as she watched it contently.
“I’m beginning to like it!”
She shouted loudly. A hint of pleasure streaked her eyes. [Crimson] licked lewdly her lips until it glistened.
The other reavers showed their deadly arsenals with ammunitions capable of potent nuclear power and with everyone in their position, volleyed the missiles to her inconsistently.
*craaaaaaaash*
Because of the continuous detonation, the atmosphere ended up fogged by the clouds of black smoke. Thereby, the sky fell into zero visibility temporarily.
All of the reavers stopped shooting in order to know if the target has been really terminated. The smoke still covered the aerial battle.
“My turn…”
Crista exclaimed loudly.
Suddenly, tentacle-like growths whipped out of the clouds and, one by one, chased reavers near [Crimson].
Reavers started shooting toward these tentacles but the flexibility and narrowness of the tentacles almost made it impossible to land one bullet.
*fffuuuuuuuushhhhh*
One tentacle whipped a reaver into two easily as if it is actually made of paper. Most of them ended up destroyed by slicing them into halves.
All of the reavers exploded in the midair like tremendous and vicious fireworks.
The horrific chain of explosions and the ear-splitting blasts made her felt excited and crazy, evident on her twisted grin and bright eyes. Eventually, [Crimson] fell into frustration.
To her, the enjoyment awfully occurred shorter and so her sadistic approach.
She lust for more of it.
“Ah, maybe I can ask for more, MORE………….! *HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA*”
She exclaimed terribly and laughed raucously. She continued it for a minute or less before something attracted her attention from afar.
It made her licked her lips lewdly and slowly as if wanting to savor its last interesting moments. Her hands are viciously shaken by the blissful pleasure before she can stop.
The reason was simple: Right among the arriving reavers she spotted a Chaser, a worthy opponent to play for.
“Ahhh, you are something that I’m waiting for…these mechas aren’t worth something like you …
CHASER!”
[Crimson] utterly stated.
A strong gust of wind swept her long, unruly hair.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a rapid annihilating beam nearly took her head and shoulder if not for her extreme reflexes. She was almost taken with surprise.
*Uh?*
Nevertheless, she didn’t even flinch a little. Instead, a flow of adrenaline made her even more excited.
“Amazing, you’re the one I need…”
[Crimson] smirked before she can know it. Her attention was literally drawn toward the emerging Chaser.
The blast originated from one of the ravaging pistols
“………………………..”
Lieutenant Aria Crete, a Chaser who is known for her sharpest eye that doesn’t fail. She hovered midair like [Crimson] in her specially-enhanced armor suit purposely created to fight off Maidens.
Commanding an almost infinite number of reavers, she shouldn’t have the slightest reason to afraid but her initial shot signals her to be more careful. Even at the thousand meters range she realized that the Maiden can see her and even capable of avoiding the rushing bullet.
Drawing her photon blade out is worth trying her luck right now.
“Let us see…”
Aria muttered while advancing toward [Crimson] at incredible speed. Her eyes twinkled with aggression and extreme hatred.
“Exquisite Treat!”
[Crimson] muttered while grinning. She was totally prepared for this kind of assault. Actually, she was more excited to see the horrible outcome.